Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenMonkey
IMO Digital files are probably more likely to be useless in 20 years than a hardcover is.
|
You make some good points, though you're talking a slightly different angle than what we've been discussing.
I couldn't find it just now when I searched, but a few years ago,
Spectrum Magazine had an interesting article about archiving data in general that's along a similar line. The author asked if we've ever seen any clips from Superbowl One. No? If you never have, then you never will. It seems both of the broadcast companies that filmed it accidentally destroyed their films. There is no record of that momentous sports event.
We can't take for granted that any data we have today will be usable in the future unless we take precautions. If I recall, he discussed acid paper, electronic media and digital formats--all very worthy of concern.